Why I Love Music on Tuesday's

Every Tuesday, I find myself preparing to go to my Spanish Class. I say prepare, because active thought goes into each decision I make as I travel to and from the class. I leave my watch and wallet at home so I will have few valuables at hand in case I am stopped by anyone. I stuff several dollars in my pockets so I can have something to offer anyone who wishes to stop me. I leave my keys at home so I don't have to worry about losing them. The first portion of the trip is relaxed as I walk on a main street. When I turn off that street onto the dimly lit side streets, my senses are turned up and I become tense. My heart beats a little faster and I am jumpy. This last section of the trip is characterized by fear. Fear of what may be in those shadows. It's always a relief when I see the apartment where the class is held. I know that I have made it. There is always the return trip though. The same emotions of fear run through my mind. I quickly run/walk as I weave through the side streets. As I run, my ears hear something. It is coming from the barbershop that I pass to and from on my way to the Spanish Class. There are two men sitting along the wall in white, plastic chairs. They each hold an accordion in their hands and laps. One is the barber and the other his friend. They sit across from each other gently playing their accordions. Their is no fear in their eyes, only peace and contentment as they relax from a long day of work. As I approach these musicians, my mind goes back to a book I read several years ago, The Book Thief, in which one of the main characters is an excellent accordion player. That makes me think of the person who recommended that book to me, my sister. "I wonder what she's up to" I think to myself. Then I think of my mother-in-law who never really liked that book. "I shouldn't have recommended it to her, I guess" I say to myself. And before I know it, the fear has been driven from my mind. No longer am I worried about what may happen to me, but instead, I'm thinking about all of these faces from home. I finally realize why Saul had David play the harp for him. It is that mysterious element of music that drives out fear and puts one at ease.